Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)president Peter Mutharika has denounced violent barbaric acts of beating and torching two members of the ruling People’s Party (PP) in Mulanje and urged police to bring perpetrators to book.

Earlier this month, two houses belonged to Mulanje central constituency members, Pilani Chimpembeli and Alice Julio both from Sapuwa Village, T/A Chikumbu in the district were burnt to ashes.

PP alleges to have been masterminded by DPP hired thugs.

The incident sparked some controversies in the ruling party, especially when its deputy publicity secretary, Ken Msonda warned of a hit-back.

Peter Mutharika: Denounces violence

The remarks forced the party’s acting secretary general, Paul Maulidi to ask Msonda to retract the sentiment, which was regarded as war mongering.

But in an interview during whistle-stop tours in Zomba and Machinga over the weekend, Mutharika said was not aware of what happened and only learnt about the incident through media.

Mutharika said: “Am not aware of what happened there. DPP as a party we don’t engage in such things. I hope police are investigating it and will take appropriate action. But as DPP we don’t promote violence”.

He said Malawians need to be together as one people, arguing violence has no place in a democratic country like Malawi.

“I don’t have evidence, but any kind of violence is not appreciated. We have a process here, a democratic process, and no need for violence. We go to the people and convey whatever message we have and the people will decide who to vote for. And we need to accept whoever wins, but violence, no,” he said.

Meanwhile, Peoples Party said is watching closely what will unfold from the incident following Mutharika’s denouncement of the ‘violent barbaric acts’ alleged to have been carried by DPP’s cadets.

“The Peoples Party welcomes the development (Mutharika’s condemnation) and waits curious for the DPP leadership to match words with deeds. The Peoples Party have all along condemned in its strongest terms any form of political violence; called upon DPP leadership to denounce & stop its cadets from such barbaric acts or face consequences,” explained PP’s deputy publicist, Ken Msonda.

Msonda added: “In a democratic dispensation any forms of violence have no room and perpetrators of such acts have to be condemned and stopped. PP shall make sure that never again, no citizen of this country shall be beaten, property & houses torched because of one’s political affiliation”.